Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Groove Armada Offers EP to Aussie Fans First

Bacardi Express headliners Groove Armada is giving Aussie music fans exclusive access to their brand new EP before the rest of the world.

The new songs are now available through the B-LIVE Share application found at the official Bacardi website. This revolutionary new site rewards music fans who share the Groove Armada tracks through the site and with their online communities. The more songs you share, the more EP tracks you can access. Additionally, people using the service have the chance to win a VIP experience with the band onboard the Bacardi Express.

It’s exciting to see a model which allows fans to share music legally, ensuring the artists, promoter, and publisher are all compensated.

“Sharing music has always gone on. It’s giving music away that’s the problem. We wanted to come up with a 21st century version of what we used to do with cassette tapes. When you give music away for free it’s disposable. When you share it, it’s done with love,” Andy Cato of Groove Armada said in a statement.

The EP also has a local connection, with Australian electronic duo Van She Tech remixing the song “Drop the Tough.”

If you’re over 18 you can access the EP through the B-LIVE Share website until March 1, when it will be available for commercial digital release.

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mark Tulk’s EP Offers Something a Little Different

By day he’s the president of Small House Records. But by night he is one of Australia’s most promising musical talents. Meet Mark Tulk.

Mark has composed, recorded, and arranged music for nearly two decades. Now he’s preparing to unleash his EP, At The End of the Day.

With influences including Brian Eno, David Byrne, John Cale, and Nick Drake, you can imagine that Mark’s own music is richly textured and fascinating to explore.

“This EP is reasonably ‘dark’ thematically, sonically it’s centered around the piano or Rhodes with layered acoustic guitars, distorted piano, various odd percussion elements, cellos and quite a lot of minimoog-generated ‘swampy/swirly’ kinda stuff in the background,” he says.

The songs are autobiographical, but their complex lyrics leaves room for the listener to interpret each tune in their own way.

“My own life-experience has obviously informed the material – the main characters, in some way, all share a sense of loss, isolation, disappointment or disillusionment. So in some ways the record has been partly a cathartic experience for me. Stylistically I’m interested in exploring ‘inner landscapes’ … the subconscious … what are the things ‘beneath the surface’ that inform our actions and decisions?

“It’s a work of shadows and dreams I suppose. The lyrics are scattered with images of half-light, moonlit cellars, corridors and narrow stairways … gothic mansions and swaying lanterns … on the journey, the listener meets characters who range from American poet Robert Lowell during his time in a mental hospital, to a gothic Jane Eyre-type heroine wandering thru the night silently watching for her imagined saviour who never comes.”

Are you intrigued yet? You can pick up At The End of the Day online from Small House Records.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jess Origliasso Contemplates PETA Ad

After that unfortunate porn scandal last year, you’d think Jess Origliasso would have resolved to keep her clothes on in 2009. But it seems she might be stripping again this year. It’s all for a good cause though, with the Veronicas twin in negotiations with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Apparently the animal rights group spotted the popette sporting a faux fur jacket, emblazoned with the hand drawn message “F— Fur.” I’m sure Miss Origliasso’s wasn’t so censored though! The popstar and her sister Lisa also spoke up against the practices of a Chinese fur farm.

“Lisa and I support any foundation that is willing to educate and make a stand for animal liberation,” Jess told The Daily Telegraph.

“Death for these animals is a horror story – the most common method used for killing foxes is electrocution. I can’t speak for Lisa, but I admire the approach to the eye-catching photo shoots PETA do to get the important message out there. I would definitely love to be involved in something like that.”

If Jess does pose for PETA she’ll join other notable Aussie musicians including Natalie Imbruglia, Missy Higgins, and Something for Kate.

Image source: Pacific Coast News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Own Josh Pyke’s Guitar Boat!

From the first moment I saw it, I fell in love with the guitar boat Josh Pyke sails around Sydney Harbour in his “Make You Happy” video. Now it seems I have a chance of owning it.

This awesome boat, created by Maton Guitars, will be auctioned for charity. Josh will donate all funds raised by the auction to the Indigenous Literacy Project.

“Seeing the guitar boat clip spread around the world has been one of the highlights of releasing this album so far,” said Josh. “I love the idea that its charm will now go towards helping something I’m passionate about. Later this year I’ll be launching an event called ‘Busking for Change’ in conjunction with the Indigenous Literacy Project, and the sale of the guitar boat will help to fund this.”

The auction will start on eBay from February 9 and end on February 12. Somehow I don’t think that’s going to give me enough time to raise the cash for this awesome vessel!

Sydneysiders can see the boat at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour until a lucky owner is found!

Image source: Josh Pyke press gallery

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson Big Winners in Tamworth

Husband and wife team Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson confirmed they are the golden couple of country music, bagging five awards at last nights Golden Guitars in Tamworth.

The couple told The Sunday Telegraph the success was unexpected as they didn’t even expect their album Rattlin’ Bones to be released!

“When we started, it was more about testing this relationship and seeing if we could be creative together,” Kasey explained. “It was just a challenge that we’ve fulfilled which makes this really nice.”

“We had no plan for this record at all other than writing it and recording it and be happy with it,” Shane added. “Without even talking about it, we thought it would be released and fly under the radar and move on and do something else.”

Adam Brand was named male artist of the year, while international success Catherine Britt was named best female artist.

Here’s the full list of the winners!

APRA Song of the Year
“Rattlin’ Bones” – written and recorded by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Vocal Collaboration of the Year
“Still Here” – Melinda Schneider & Paul Kelly

Bush Ballad of the Year
“Australia Is Another Word For Free” – written by John Williamson, recorded by John Williamson, Warren H Williams and Amos Morris

Video Clip of the Year
“Rattlin’ Bones” – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, directed by Helen Clemens

Single of the Year
“Rattlin’ Bones” – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Fender Instrumental of the Year
“Left Hand Drive” – Davidson Brothers

Group or Duo of the Year
“Finally Over Blue” – The McClymonts

Heritage Song of the Year
“Too Dark For The Light Horse” – written by Darren Coggan & Ken McBeath, recorded by Darren Coggan

Top Selling Album of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Gibson New Talent of the Year
“The Reckless Side Of Me” – Talia Wittmann

Female Artist of the Year
“What I Did Last Night” – Catherine Britt

Male Artist of the Year
“Get On Down The Road” – Adam Brand

Album of the Year
Rattlin’ Bones – Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, produced by Nash Chambers & Shane Nicholson

CMC Oz Artist of the Year
Adam Brand

Image source: Mandy Hall @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Delta Goodrem Supports Simple Plan’s New Charity Single

Delta Goodrem has made a special guest appearance in the music video for Simple Plan’s latest single “Save You.” The song was penned as a tribute to lead singer Pierre Bouvier’s brother Jay and his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. The film clip features cancer survivors from all walks of life, including Delta, Bif Naked, and Sharon Osbourne.

“We wanted this video to tell Jay’s story and the ones of all cancer survivors,” explained the band. “We want to show how strong people can be when facing adversity and hardship and how resilient the human mind and body can be. We wanted to relay a message of hope, survival and courage.”

Delta, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2003, jumped at the chance to support the music video.

“It was a pleasure to be invited to support Simple Plan in their crusade to make a difference in the fight against cancer,” she said.

You can see the video at this website – scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the version with Delta’s bit. But don’t just watch it. Proceeds from all iTunes downloads of the single will be distributed to local cancer charities in the country of the download, helping the world to get closer to eradicating this deadly disease.

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sultry Sally Turns Up the Heat

Move over Young Divas. Australia’s newest girl group, Sultry Sally, has arrived!

Australian Idol fans might recognise Anne Robertson, who was a finalist in the program’s third series. Marcia Hines called Anne “one of the strongest females vocally in the history of Australian Idol.”

The group also features Sydney-based singer-songwriter Nicky Kurta. She’s a regular on the city’s live music scene, and has written material with Brian Cadd and Rick Price.

Then there’s Sera Monson, an Australian Institute of Music graduate who’s shared the stage with Glenn Shorrock and Rhonda Burchmore. The group’s final member is Natalie Conway, an industry newcomer who’s already made a splash with her covers band and appearances in Sydney musicals.

The girls’ first single is a cover of the 2001 Crystal Waters floor filler, “Gypsy Woman.” You can hear it now on iTunes.

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Is Ricki-Lee Dating a Neighbours Spunk?

It looks like there’s a new love in the life of Ricki-Lee Coulter.

Sources say she’s dating actor Brett Tucker, who plays nice guy Daniel Fitzgerald on Neighbours.

The pair was spotted dining at several Melbourne restaurants and taking in the Australian Open.

Ricki-Lee’s people have declined to comment, but Brett says it’s “early days.”

It sounds like there might a love match there to me!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Free Concerts for Australia Day

What are you doing this Australia Day? Sure you could celebrate with a barbeque like last year, but with so many free concerts happening around the country there’s no reason to stay in!

Australia Day Live – Parliament House, Canberra
Technically this show is the day before, but the line-up is so fantastic it deserves a mention. From 6:30 pm acts like Jessica Mauboy, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Dan Kelly, Wendy Matthews, Gurrumul, and Brian Cadd, will play Parliament House. Pre-show entertainment starts at 3:30 so arrive early to get a good spot!

Rocksong Festival – The Rocks, Sydney
More than 70 of this country’s finest singers and songwriters will play across nine stages in The Rocks. From 11 am to 9 pm you can see big name acts like Christine Anu, Holly Throsby, Kid Confucius, The Herd, and Tina Harrod.

James Morrison – Kings Domain Gardens, Melbourne
Australia’s iconic jazz trumpeter James Morrison will play a free show in the gardens from 12:30 pm. If you’ve never seen James live you don’t want to miss this.

Survival 2009 – Fremantle Park, Fremantle
This Aboriginal cultural festival features performances by Fitzroy Xpress Yabu Band, Abmusic Band, and indigenous dancers and performers. Join in the fun from 1 pm.

Australia Day Concert – South Bank Piazza, Brisbane
Finish off Australia Day with performances by Clare Bowditch, The Gin Club, and Gentle Ben and his Sensitive Side. It all kicks off at 7:30 pm, but with acts like this you’ll want to arrive early for a good view.

A Day on the Beach – Kingston Beach, Tasmania
There’s not a lot happening in Tassie, but some local bands will play at A Day on the Beach. The event, which starts at 10 am, also features sand castle competitions, water and beach sports, a kids gym, a treasure hunt, and an old fashioned Aussie BBQ. It sounds like fun!

Australia Day Concert – Elder Park, Adelaide
From 10 am Adelaide will celebrate Australia Day with a massive free concert. Lee Kernaghan will headline the show, which also features All Stars, Acoustic Juice, and Patrick McMahon. There’ll also be face painting and other kids activities, making this event one for the whole family.

Image source: Euthman @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Frontier Touring Company is Australia’s Best

Frontier Touring Company has been named the number one local promoter of 2008 by Pollstar. Michael Gudinski’s baby also fared well in the world market, taking out number 15.

And it’s not hard to see why. Last year Frontier Touring brought us tours from The Police, Kylie Minogue, Billy Joel, and Snow Patrol. Even with the economic downturn, they’ve managed to firm up 2009 tours from Leonard Cohen, Ryan Adams, Fall Out Boy, Kings of Leon, and The Veronicas.

“It may be doom and gloom at the moment with the global economy but up until September 2008 Frontier was having a pretty amazing run. We ended 2008 well, but it could have been phenomenal before the economy went toe up,” Mr Gudinski said in a statement.

“The industry is inevitably set to go through some tough times, but I still believe that people are prepared to pay the money to go and see top quality entertainment. They may not go to as many shows as they used to, but with the right artist, and the right ticket price, there will always be a place for quality live entertainment in people’s budgets.”

I completely agree with him! The economy may have gone belly up but I’ve still got tickets for six shows so far this year! What about you? Has the financial crisis forced you to scale back, or are you still seeing as many concerts as ever before?